Search - Various Artists :: Java: Court Gamelan

	Various Artists Java: Court Gamelan Genres: International Music, Pop The greatest collection of instruments--mainly metallophones and bronze gongs of different shapes and sizes--and the epitome of the gamelan playing style are to be found in four princely courts, two each in the neighboring... more » « less
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CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Java: Court Gamelan
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Nonesuch
Original Release Date: 1/1/1971
Re-Release Date: 1/28/2003
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genres: International Music, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 075597971927, 075597971927

Synopsis

Album Description

The greatest collection of instruments--mainly metallophones and bronze gongs of different shapes and sizes--and the epitome of the gamelan playing style are to be found in four princely courts, two each in the neighboring cities of Jogyakarta and Surakarta. This recording, typifying the musical style of one of these courts, the Paku Alaman in Jogyakarta, is an eminently worthy representative of one of the major classical traditions of Eastern art music. Western enthusiasts have often compared the static yet constantly moving state of gamelan music to a river running in its course, or to "moonlight poured over the field". Recorded in Bali by Robert E. Brown. Originally released in 1971.

CD Reviews

Javanese gamelan is beautiful!

Eric M. Allen | Milwaukie, OR, USA | 05/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up this recording in 1984, and it's never been far from my ears. I joined the UCLA gamelan ensemble because of it.
At first, this music is hard to listen to, especially for ears accustomed to Western music-but keep listening to it. It grows on you, and grows, and grows.
The music is deep, timeless, complex and transcendent. Listening to it transports you to the highest realms of musical experience. You're also transported to the court where it was recorded-you can hear birds chirping in the rafters.
There's a reason this was included on the Voyager disc.
Some of it is slow, stately, majestic-other parts fast and abrupt (though not even close to the fiery exuberance of Balinese kebyar). Some of it sounds like rain, or thunder, or the ocean."

Glorious

footfootvrr | Bigtimore, MD | 08/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album! It was maybe the first gamelan record I heard. I recommend it highly for those interested in Javanese Gamelan traditions. It is a good introduction containing long and short pieces, accelerating and decelerating tempos, group and solo vocals, and variety of atmosphere (although it's mostly a slower paced recording and very relaxing).

There are two short pieces, one with male and female choral vocals that are intoxicatingly beautiful, and one compact yet graceful instrumental. And there are two longer pieces, one reprising the male and female chorus...so delicious, and another amazingly dreamy one with solo female vocals that makes me feel like I am floating slowly and ecstatically on a heavenly river!

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